Is it "sinful" to look at photos of unclothed huma

[Zzyzx]

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"Are you suggesting that "god" is NOT willing to forgive if a person repeats the same 'sin' too often?"

Yes I think so since repeating the sin too often suggests no real repentance in the first place. Like times I have told God I'm sorry for looking at naked women on the Internet then turn around and do it again, over and over. I'm not really sorry, I'm just saying sorry to use like a lucky charm against punishment.

The implication by Grand Pbuh is that looking at nude photographs is "sinful" and requires "repentance" and "forgiveness".

Questions for debate:

1. Do you agree or disagree or offer a different answer? Explain your reasoning.

2. Under what conditions is looking at nude photos "sinful" (or evil, or undesirable)?

3. What biblical instruction prohibits looking at photos?

4. Is it also "sinful" for a religious person to look at unclothed people in person?

5. Is it "wrong" (or "sinful") for a non-religious person to look at nude people or photos? Who makes that determination?

6. Is it more "sinful" to look at photos than to look at actual unclothed people or vice versa?

7. Must one stop looking at nude photos or people completely in order to be "forgiven"?

8. Is this issue an example of human behavior or nature being condemned by religion?

[Jura]

i cant give quotes, but as i understand most religious references on this subject, it is in no way sinful to look at naked people or any other visualy observable phenomena

it is considered a sin to alow oneself to feel lust or other inapropriate emotions or thoughts while looking at such like

at least thats how i understood those parts in the new testament, as well as explanations of similar subjects in muslim and hindu religion

it does actualy make sence, other then the obvious problems with belief in sin making sence, as humans must, regardles of religion, see each other naked, on all kinds of ocasions, often unavoidable such as medical exams or infant hygiene
so id guess it depends on the context and the given religious belief concerning the ability of an adult human to control his/hers emotions and actions in the face of human nudity
obviously in some cultures or groups it is belived adult humans have some sort of pavlovljev effect that makes them want to masturbate each time they see a naked knee or ribcage

[C-Nub]

1. Do you agree or disagree or offer a different answer? Explain your reasoning.

I disagree strongly. A naked human is no different than a naked animal. More appealing to look at in most situations (females, anyways... well.. some... never mind that) but hardly a sin. No one is being hurt by it. Anyone photographed naked is the same for the experience, it doesn't hurt them or take away anything, although in our society, there's a stigma attached to it, that's societies fault, and not the nudity.

2. Under what conditions is looking at nude photos "sinful" (or evil, or undesirable)?

Maybe in front of other people, because of the sexual connotations, or when its photos of nude children, because of the mental illness / defect in those interested, but it still isn't 'sinful,' just counter-normal and unacceptable.

3. What biblical instruction prohibits looking at photos?

I don't know. the book of revelations?

4. Is it also "sinful" for a religious person to look at unclothed people in person?

Only because religious people are wrong for being so.

5. Is it "wrong" (or "sinful") for a non-religious person to look at nude people or photos? Who makes that determination?

Non-theists have no equivalent to sin, we have societies laws and our own moral code, but nothing that represents a higher-powers opinion on right and wrong. So, you know, no. Sin is impossible for non-theists.

6. Is it more "sinful" to look at photos than to look at actual unclothed people or vice versa?

Only if the naked people object and 'sinful' is just another way of saying 'wrong' or 'rude'.

7. Must one stop looking at nude photos or people completely in order to be "forgiven"?

Judging by my cookies / history, I really hope not.

8. Is this issue an example of human behavior or nature being condemned by religion?

It is, or more importantly, its the church profiting off of human nature, it dates back, I would wager, to when you had to pay per confession.

[cnorman18]

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"Are you suggesting that "god" is NOT willing to forgive if a person repeats the same 'sin' too often?"

Yes I think so since repeating the sin too often suggests no real repentance in the first place. Like times I have told God I'm sorry for looking at naked women on the Internet then turn around and do it again, over and over. I'm not really sorry, I'm just saying sorry to use like a lucky charm against punishment.

The implication by Grand Pbuh is that looking at nude photographs is "sinful" and requires "repentance" and "forgiveness".

You'll forgive me if I get a bit facetious here from time to time, Z. The topic fairly begs for it.

Questions for debate:

1. Do you agree or disagree or offer a different answer? Explain your reasoning.

The bodies of women are among God's greatest gifts. Appreciating that gift is not in itself sinful - though it might be frustrating from time to time.

Obsession is another matter. That is unwise, though not even that is necessarily sinful in itself.

(My initial answer was, "God, I hope not.)

2. Under what conditions is looking at nude photos "sinful" (or evil, or undesirable)?

If the photos are of children and intended to be sexually exciting, it's wrong. Taking and/or publishing such pictures is not only wrong but criminal.

The same would apply to photos of women who are unaware that they are being photographed, unless they clearly don't mind (deliberately going nude on a crowded beach, e.g.)

3. What biblical instruction prohibits looking at photos?

Since photography was invented a couple of millenia after the Bible was written, it's hard to see how there could be any.

I suppose the injunctions against "uncovering the nakedness" of close relatives, mothers and sisters and daughters-in-law and so forth, might apply, but that seems rather limited.

4. Is it also "sinful" for a religious person to look at unclothed people in person?

Depends on how well they know them, I would think...

Beats me. I never saw much wrong with going to strip clubs even when I was a Christian, even though to this day I've never been to one. Never saw much sense in it. (I don't go to restaurants where they just show you the food, either.)

5. Is it "wrong" (or "sinful") for a non-religious person to look at nude people or photos? Who makes that determination?

If you're married, your spouse might have something to say about it, Mine certainly did.

6. Is it more "sinful" to look at photos than to look at actual unclothed people or vice versa?

Can't see why, either way. Photos are probably less prone to complications.

7. Must one stop looking at nude photos or people completely in order to be "forgiven"?

I don't think there's anything to be forgiven for. From where I sit, if looking at such pictures isn't taking your attention away from anyone else (or if the "anyone else" doesn't mind), what's the problem?

8. Is this issue an example of human behavior or nature being condemned by religion?

Obviously.

[byofrcs]

God clearly intended humans to be naked. It was only when they knew good from evil that they clothed themselves.

This highlights a contradiction;

- When god make man naked then that should have been fully good,
- When man knew good from evil then they covered their private parts
- Thus god produced something wrong.

But if Sin is what offends God then the original naked state either offended God or it didn't.

Would God deliberately create something that offended it ?

Christians would argue - no (i.e. God would NOT deliberately create something that offended it) and if so then it is not sinful but it is (biblically) wrong to be naked.

A few may argue - yes (i.e. God would deliberately create something that offended it) and if so then it is sinful and also (biblically) wrong to be naked. Maybe Satanists would say this ?

Finally Atheists etc would argue that they can't really add much to the concept of sinning any more than we could suggest what Santa Claus had for breakfast and so being naked can't be a sin as it's predicated on the existence of God.

So overall being naked would suggest not being "sinful", though it may be "wrong" given enough knowledge. Equally, certain clothed styles I've seen around the world are so wrong it burns the retinas. Shell suits, lycra, trousers that reveal unshaved butts, wrong sized bras, the Afghan chadri....

So even NOT naked can be wrong, though it's not biblically wrong. Either way it isn't sinful.

[Grand Pbuh]

The implication by Grand Pbuh is that looking at nude photographs is "sinful" and requires "repentance" and "forgiveness".

Keeping in mind that I'm married and used to do so knowing my wife would be angry. And, that pictures I'm referring to are not exactly something like the Birth of Venus, but more like Girls Gone Wild -- porn.

[undeterred]

Questions for debate:

1. Do you agree or disagree or offer a different answer? Explain your reasoning.

I agree. My wife told to.

2. Under what conditions is looking at nude photos "sinful" (or evil, or undesirable)?

Under no circumstances am I to look at nude photos.

3. What biblical instruction prohibits looking at photos?

My wife's authority exceeds that of the Bible and God.

4. Is it also "sinful" for a religious person to look at unclothed people in person?

That might depend on whether they marry my wife after she divorces me for going to the strip club.

5. Is it "wrong" (or "sinful") for a non-religious person to look at nude people or photos? Who makes that determination?

I think we all know the answer to that question.

6. Is it more "sinful" to look at photos than to look at actual unclothed people or vice versa?

Looking at photos is bad. Looking at strippers is worse. Looking at my secretary as she disrobes, having just succumbed to my advances, will result in my death.

7. Must one stop looking at nude photos or people completely in order to be "forgiven"?

There can be no forgiveness, only divorce.

8. Is this issue an example of human behavior or nature being condemned by [strike]religion[/strike] wives?

Yes.

[Zzyzx]

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The implication by Grand Pbuh is that looking at nude photographs is "sinful" and requires "repentance" and "forgiveness".

Keeping in mind that I'm married and used to do so knowing my wife would be angry. And, that pictures I'm referring to are not exactly something like the Birth of Venus, but more like Girls Gone Wild -- porn.

Does your wife's anger establish or identify what is "sinful"?

If wifely anger identifies "sin", forgetting an anniversary or looking at other women (in photos or in reality) is "sinful" in many marriages; whereas, having sex with other women is not "sinful" in cases where a wife does not object. Is that the Christian definition of "sin"? Is "sin" identified by reference to another person rather than to a "god"? If a wife determines what is "sin" there is no need for "gods" to dictate (or suggest) behavior.

Since you raise the matter, did you stop looking at pornography – or just cut down or become more secretive? Did you modify your behavior because it made your wife angry (or because she caught you) or because "god" was displeased?

It seems as though this is an example of religion being used to condemn a behavior that has nothing to do with religion – but with personal preferences – and claiming that it represents religion. Isn't that perversion of the intent of religion? Is it "Christlike" to behave as forced to do so by a mate?

[JoeyKnothead]

Sinful or not, it can be a whole lotta fun when when she lets you take em.

[Grand Pbuh]

Does your wife's anger establish or identify what is "sinful"?

The basis is here:

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

If I hurt her in the process of one sin, that is another sin of not loving others as myself, due to the initial sin.

Since you raise the matter, did you stop looking at pornography – or just cut down or become more secretive? Did you modify your behavior because it made your wife angry (or because she caught you) or because "god" was displeased?

I stopped for now for a few months, because I got more religious again and the Law says not to do that. The Law encourages me to good behavior when I fail to do it myself. Otherwise I might just follow my own will and tell her there's nothing wrong with porn and to get over it.

Is it "Christlike" to behave as forced to do so by a mate?

No, it is to behave according to the Law. I don't always do what my wife wants.